By Nurat Uthman
The Yoruba Commitment Leaders (YCL) group has urged Islamic clerics in Ilorin, Kwara State to reject religious intolerance and ensure that no religious followers hinder others. They have also called upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the religious conflict emerging in Ilorin, Kwara State, in order to promote peace and uphold the constitutional order of the country.
The group’s response comes in light of what they perceive as the “open denial” of certain Yoruba people’s right to practice their religion by certain Islamic clerics in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The group expressed their concerns in a statement signed by Otunba Tayo Onayemi, Chief Mrs Buky Tunde Oshunrinde, Mrs Sola Maja, Omooba Sina Odunmorayo, Barr Femi Mokikan, and Omooba Eri Dada, which was made available to the press in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.
The group emphasized the need for those responsible for protecting the rights of all individuals in the state to take impartial action against those who violate these rights. They emphasized that no religious followers should obstruct others solely based on their different religious beliefs.
According to the statement, the “orchestrated and open denial” of certain Yoruba people’s right to practice their religion in Kwara State has been causing tension in Yoruba-speaking regions. The group criticized the statements and actions of public officials in Kwara State, stating that instead of upholding the nation’s Constitution, which guarantees religious freedom to all Nigerians, their statements and actions have been divisive and concerning.
The group also expressed concern that these actions demonstrate bias towards one religion over the traditional religions of the Yoruba people. They highlighted that Nigeria is a secular state, meaning that all levels of government should remain neutral in religious matters, as stated by the Constitution.
The recent pronouncements from officials in Kwara State and the Kwara State Police Command have led the YCL to question whether Nigeria is genuinely a secular state. They have observed an increase in acts of religious intolerance in Yoruba communities, sponsored by a religious sect originating from Ilorin.
The group finds this concerning, as it resembles a declaration of religious war by certain members of an Islamic sect against practitioners of traditional Yoruba religions and it amounts to an attempt at religious conquest, occupation and domination of the Yoruba.
“The audacious and confrontational attitude of some members of an Islamic sect, showing utter disregard for the constitutional provisions guaranteeing freedoms of association, movement, religion and worship should be of serious concern to all discerning minds that there is a trouble brewing which is seemingly backed by the authorities in Ilorin.
“We are happy that there are some Islamic Clerics in Ilorin who have recognised the development in Ilorin as nothing short of religious intolerance which must not be allowed in a decent society.
“Traditional religion adherents, Christians and Muslims should be free to practise their respective religion in Ilorin without any fear of being attacked.
“While urging Yoruba people in all parts of the world and all Nigerians in general to hold the Governor of Kwara State and the agencies of State responsible should their actions and utterances lead to a breakdown of law and order in Yorubaland, we call on His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to please swiftly wade into this matter in the interest of peace and constitutional order in Nigeria
